How to Create a "Shut Down" Desktop Shortcut

You can use any icon you wish for your new shortcut.

Instructions

1. Right click anywhere on your desktop, making sure your cursor is not on an icon. Point to "New" and then click on "Shortcut."
   
   
2. A "Create Shortcut" wizard will pop up. In the field following "Type the Location of the Item:" enter the following: %windir%\System32\shutdown.exe -s -f -t 00. Simply copy and paste this code, starting with the first % and ending with the 00 (but not the period).
   
   
   
3. Click "Next." Under "Type a Name for This Shortcut:" enter "Shutdown."
   
   
4. Click Finish. A new icon called "Shutdown" will appear on your desktop.
   
   
5. If you want to customize the icon, right click it and then click on "Properties." Go to the "Shortcut" tab and click the "Change Icon" button.
   
   
6. In the dialog box that opens, click on the icon you wish to use. Click "OK", and then "Apply", and then "OK" again.
   
   
7. When you are ready to shut down your computer, simply double click your new shortcut.